Summary
• The pornography coalition* are concerned that the lack of regulation of online pornographic content has resulted in harmful and violent pornographic content being prolific online, impacting users’ online and offline behaviour.
• Content that depicts and promotes violent sexual behaviour – most often towards women and girls – and sexualises children is prevalent online, but offline would be prohibited. The law has never been extended to cover online pornographic content.
• We are concerned that the prevalence and normalisation of this content means that users ‘spiral’, viewing more extreme and even illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material.
• There is evidence that online pornographic content is contributing to violence against women and girls, and child sexual abuse. This includes the normalisation of violent and abusive sexual behaviours and misogynistic views.
We are calling on the Government to regulate online pornographic content the same way it is regulated offline.
*The pornography coalition is a collection of charities, organisations and individuals who are concerned about the impact of online pornography, including how it affects children and women.